Who the heck is Ant-Man?

During last night's premier of Agent Carter, we caught the next dose of Marvel marketing in the newest Ant-Man teaser.  A few days ago, Marvel released the same teaser but literally ant sized.  This regular human sized trailer gave us our first look at Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas as Scott Lang and Hank Pym.  Who are these guys?  Well, both characters have a rich history in the Marvel Universe, and I'm actually a bit surprised that at least the name, Hank Pym, hasn't been mentioned before.

So let's start with a little history of Ant-Man, and that starts with Dr. Jonathon Henry Pym.  He debuted 1962, as a biochemist with a genius level intelligence; one day discovers an unusual set of sub-atomic particles he calls "Pym Particles".  Using sciencey stuff on these particles allows him to create a size-altering formula that he, of course, tests on himself.  To his horror, Dr. Pym finds that the formula is stronger than he anticipated, and he shrinks to the size of an insect.  After a terrifying incident in an anthill, Pym returns to normal size and decides to study ants.  He builds a cybernetic helmet that allows him to communicate with and control ants.  With this new technology, he becomes the super hero Ant-Man.

Several adventures later, Pym works with and falls in love with Janet Van Dyne (to be played by Evangeline Lilly in the movie).  He reveals his secret identity to Janet, then using his Pym Particles to shrink her, Pym also grafts wasp wings to her shoulders that appear when she shrinks.  Janet also then becomes a super hero, using the alias The Wasp.  Together with Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and The Hulk they formed the original Avengers.  The Wasp is actually the first one to refer to the group by the name 'The Avengers'.

The next adventure (and the next issue) for The Avengers would show them change their roster around a bit, and give Hank Pym another persona.  How do you replace someone like The Hulk?  How about a giant man over 100 feet tall! He again went to his Pym Particles, but instead of using them to shrink in size, he used them to grow.  This time reaching heights of 100 feet, he called himself Giant Man (These names!  Am I right?) and then Goliath.  Later, some heroes would say the change was made because Pym felt inadequate as an Avenger around heroes like Thor, and Iron Man.  He went on to be a mainstay member of the Avengers for years to come.

Another big moment in Pym's career is his bout with schizophrenia, during which time he develops a cocky persona called Yellow Jacket.  I believe the movie's villain is Yellow Jacket played by Corey Stoll.

One of the major highlights though, and possibly part of the plot to the new Avengers movie, is Pym's creation of a peacekeeping android he calls Ultron. Ultron would go on to be one of the Avenger's most dangerous arch enemies.

Dr. Pym would go on to be featured as a major player in the Marvel Universe.  Sharing a big part of Marvel's Civil War (more on this another time) with Iron Man and Mister Fantastic aka Reed Richards.

So there's a brief history of Hank Pym.  So then who is Scott Lang, the guy Paul Rudd is playing?  Well, Lang is ALSO Ant-Man.

In March 1979, Scott Lang was introduced to the Marvel Universe.  After his career as an electronics expert failed, Lang turned to burglary in order to support his family.  Well he wasn't very good at that either because he got busted; he was paroled after 3 years and got a job at Stark Industries, where he helped to design the new security system for Avengers Mansion.

Then Lang's daughter got sick, and he was forced into a life a burglary once again.  This time he would have an advantage.  He breaks into Hank Pym's lab  and steals his Ant-Man costume and shrinking formula.  After securing his daughter's health, Scott Lang would go on to a full time super hero career as Ant-Man, and become a full fledged member of the Avengers on his own merit.

These are not characters to take lightly, and I doubt the creators of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will.  Hank Pym is way too important of a character for a single appearance in the movie, I believe we will actually see him pop up elsewhere to possibly further the plot of either Avengers: Age of Ultron and/or Ant-Man the movie.  His appearances could be in either one of the 8 episodes of  Agent Carter or more likely in an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  Either of these possibilities could lend a big clue to the plots of Avengers or Ant-Man, and give either show a shot of excitement as well as ratings.

So if you hear someone talking smack about Marvel releasing Ant-Man, you can tell them that it's actually about damn time they did so.  Then you can tell them why and give them a link to my blog and we'll all have a happy day.